Help identifying boat

[Les Laming]

I bought this boat a while back at a swapshop. It came with a K&B 3.5OB. I am wondering what it is? It is made of epoxy glass and is 27" long and 14" wide. I know it is not a Prather Lap Cat. I hope the pics help. Also did anyone run it and how did it perform. Thanks for the help.Les

 

[RobertDoak]

Les..
That is the original dumas fiberglass hotshot...I owned one in early 1980's and with a stock k&b 3.5 o.b. ran rather well..
I also had the k&b auto trim system installed that adjusted the outboard trim angle while cornering...hope that helps..

 

[Les Laming]

Thanks for your help. Did You run a hopper tank as well to assure fuel flow? Also are the newer ABS Hot Shot sprints a lot faster than this boat?

 

[RobertDoak]

Never ran a hopper in any tunnel boat and never had a issue but I always mount the tank as high as possible..I learned that from R/C airplanes...the hull would run well with the K&B SS or SX engine....with a worked x440 prop...both have the external exhaust...and a little engine port work should be an awesome runner...the newer ABS hull is lighter so I would expect that hull to be faster...but I never seen one of those run....I have built the shorter Hotshot Sprint wood hull that runs fine but is not really made for higher output engines ...and from what I have seen and experienced is ...any hull can win a race....but you need to finish...
Les I hope this helps... Is the hull already joined together...if not..be sure the bottom of the hull is square to the building table otherwise a twist or warp will be introduced...use slow setting epoxy with a filler and don't be afraid to use a lot of it....if I remember the radio box is built first and glued in place then the top deck on top of that.

 

[Les Laming]

Thanks for all of the really great help. Our lake is solid right now but I will be able to run it by the middle of April. Happy Holidays and Best Regards, Les

 

[Grimracer]

Les,

The boat you have "MIGHT" require a turn fin.. you can probably ask Dumas for a build manual. I bet they still have copy's.

Let them know you have an old Hotshot Glass boat and they might be able to help.

Grim

 

[RobertDoak]

Grim..
When I race and built the boat..no turn fin was required...the sponsons on the bottom has a lip that extends below the sponson..that aids in stability...
Oh I asked Dumas several times about popping out a new hull for me....no deal...

 

[Kez]

I still have the Hot Shot from almost 40 years ago. In fact, I have had another brand new kit in my closet for the last 35 years that I am building now. I like the sort of scale look but the cowl does not resemble any of the open cockpit tunnel of the 70s. So I made a mold and pulled a cowl for it.

The boat is not competitive today. With a JG20E or a X440, the best it can do is about 35mph. But it blows over a lot when running into even a light breeze.

I am in the process of molding a pair of stepped sponson bottom and will require some surgery to lower the tunnel, reduce the angle of attach and add some dihedral.